This week I speak with Viktor Kulcsar, Co-Founder of Veles Farming. From a childhood in post-Soviet Slovakia to challenging cultural norms and diving into entrepreneurship, Victor's story is one of ambition. Victor opens up about the early struggles of being a young entrepreneur in a region with little support for startups, the invaluable lessons from mentors, and the importance of collaboration and shared knowledge – all while forging a path in the exciting world of saffron cultivation. Ever wo...
Jan 31, 2024•57 min•Season 10Ep. 123
Embark on a remarkable adventure with Felipe Hernandez, the visionary Founder and CEO of Hexagro , as he chronicles his evolution from an industrial designer in Colombia to a trailblazer in Milan's growing vertical farming industry. Felipe's inspiring tale captures the essence of innovation and determination, guiding us through the creation of Hexagro—an endeavor to democratize aeroponic technology. His story is a testament to the power of marrying design with practical agricultural solutions, a...
Jan 20, 2024•52 min•Season 9Ep. 122
Tristan Fischer has been involved in sustainable energy and sustainable food for over twenty years. He has been the Chairman or CEO of numerous companies, including Fischer Farms , a vertical farming/hydroponics business. Today, Tristan joins the show to discuss the benefits of vertical farm crops over field-grown crops, the looming food security crisis, and the importance of being a kind and empathetic leader Thanks to Our Sponsors CEA Summit East - https://indoor.ag/cea-summit-east-2025/ Indoo...
Dec 28, 2023•53 min•Season 9Ep. 121
Ever wished you could peek into the mind of a successful vertical farming entrepreneur? Our guest Karla Garcia shares here love for plant physiology and how it guided her to the realm of vertical farming. From her childhood influences to her current role as a technical services specialist at Hort Americas in Mexico, Karla's story is a testament to the power of passion and hard work. As Karla shares her experiences, we shed light on the trending shift towards vertical farming among the younger ge...
Dec 08, 2023•44 min•Season 9Ep. 120
Ready to journey into the heart of nature and discover the green world of microgreens ? Prepare to be inspired by financial graduate turned passionate farmer, Jonah Krochmalnek. He takes us through his life journey, from his humble beginnings starting a microgreens business in his parent's spare bedroom, to figuring out the market demand and different strategies that helped him succeed in the microgreens industry. His experiences, trials, and triumphs will be a guiding light for other budding en...
Nov 24, 2023•57 min•Season 9Ep. 119
Can a journey encompassing exotic travels, engineering, and entrepreneurship shape the future of vertical farming? This episode unravels that mystery as we sit down with Christopher Weis Thomasen, CEO and Co-founder of Seasony. A vivid storyteller, Christopher shares his transformative experiences from Namibia to Japan, painting a vivid picture of how these encounters helped develop his entrepreneurial mindset. Moving away from traditional farming, Christopher takes us through his pivot to autom...
Nov 10, 2023•46 min•Season 9Ep. 118
Prepare to embark on a transformative journey with Jessica Gomez de la Rosa, the innovative CEO of Origeen Greener Cities . From the vibrant buzz of Las Vegas to the concentrated energy of New York City, Jessica will guide us through her captivating discovery of Indoor AgTech and how it's revolutionizing the agricultural landscape. She unveils her ingenious system for vertical farming and surprises us with the revelation that varied crops could flourish within her carefully crafted environment. ...
Nov 03, 2023•44 min•Season 9Ep. 117
Are you keen to discover the future of farming? Unveil the revolutionary world of vertical farming with our esteemed guest, Cody Journell, founder and CEO of Vegg, Inc. Cody, with his vast knowledge and innovative approach to Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), is pioneering a fresh perspective on how we perceive agriculture. This episode takes you on a thrilling journey into the heart of Vegg, Inc., where old school buildings transform into thriving vertical farms. Step inside the unique ...
Oct 27, 2023•50 min•Season 9Ep. 116
Are you ready to embark on a fascinating journey into the world of environmental automation technology with our captivating guest, Neda Vaseghi, the CEO of Microclimates ? From the early days of Neda's life in Iran, through the trials of war, and onto her ascension in the tech industry, we explore how her past experiences have shaped her entrepreneurial drive. Join us as we venture into the heart of Microclimates, shedding light on the innovative start-up bridging the gap in Controlled Environme...
Oct 13, 2023•55 min•Season 9Ep. 115
Ever sought the thrill of leaving the mundane behind to explore the world, only to land in the fascinating field of agriculture? Join us as we sit down with Chris Rawley, the founder and CEO of Harvest Returns , who did exactly that. Combining his experiences as a Navy veteran, a globe-trotter, and a commercial real estate investor, Chris shares his journey to bridging the gap between investors and farmers through his platform. Listen in as he delves into the transformation of farming practices ...
Oct 06, 2023•55 min•Season 9Ep. 114
Can technology and privacy coexist in this rapidly evolving business landscape? This is a question we attempt to answer as we welcome Tinia Pina, the innovative Founder and CEO of Re-Nuble . Our riveting conversation explores the risks and rewards of navigating the digital world while protecting our privacy, and how we can leverage accessible technology to create sustainable products, without being swept up in the distractions of the tech world. New York’s relentless energy can be overwhelming, ...
Sep 29, 2023•51 min•Season 9Ep. 113
Prepare to set sail on a journey filled with adventure, art, and groundbreaking technology with our guest, Rob van Straten, CEO of Skytree . This episode dives deep into Rob's vibrant life, taking us from his childhood in the 80s, through his time in the army, his global sailing adventures, and leading us up to his stellar rise in the tech world. As a lover of art, Rob shares his memorable experiences from the Vermeer exhibition and the captivating stories behind some of the most iconic artworks...
Sep 22, 2023•48 min•Season 9Ep. 112
Growing up in the rugged landscapes of Scotland, our guest Ralph Weir, CEO of Zayndu , has traversed a fascinating journey - from the world of semiconductors and mobile television to the cutting-edge realm of vertical farming. Ralph's story is not just a narrative of professional evolution, but a testament to the power of adaptability and innovation. Join us as we uncover how Ralph's Scottish roots, his father's profound influence, and a chance encounter with the world of agriculture shaped his ...
Sep 15, 2023•56 min•Season 9Ep. 111
Have you ever wondered how the world of technology collides with the world of agriculture? Prepare to be spellbound as we sit down with Robin Vincent, the tech-savvy CEO and CINNO of Canobi Technologies. Robin takes us through his fascinating journey, from his early fascination with technology and his evolution from infrastructure architect to CEO. He paints a vivid picture of his personal project to reduce the mortality rate of stingrays and seahorses, a venture that guided him towards the crea...
Sep 08, 2023•48 min•Season 9Ep. 110
Have you ever wondered about the unseen intricacies of greenhouse farming and the immense potential of vertical farms? Join us on a fascinating journey with our guest, Lotte Van Rijn, General Manager of Certhon , as she peels back the layers of her expansive knowledge and experiences in the industry. From the lush greenhouses of the Netherlands to the dream of circumnavigating the globe, Lotte’s life is as vibrant and varied as the crops she helps foster. Lotte takes us through his formative yea...
Sep 01, 2023•43 min•Season 9Ep. 109
Like a modern-day agricultural alchemist, Mary Kathryn Scala co-founder of Freight to Plate , turns shipping containers into havens of verdant growth. In our conversation, Mary Kathryn walks us through her journey from the bustling restaurants of Chicago to the vibrant city of Austin, where she first discovered the potential of container farming. Her entrepreneurial spirit, ignited by this innovative concept, led her back to her roots in Chicago with a mission to revolutionize food systems. Hear...
Aug 25, 2023•52 min•Season 9Ep. 108
Unlock the future of modern agriculture with Nick Bateman, Executive Chairman at GrowPura . Nick, a seasoned veteran in the high tech business sphere, uncovers the exciting blend of clean room technology, robotics, and artificial intelligence that's shaping vertical farming. He illustrates how this burgeoning field is not only responding to the shifting crop demands of customers, but also bolstering sustainability and food security solutions. This conversation takes an intriguing turn as we navi...
Aug 18, 2023•50 min•Season 9Ep. 107
Join Harry Duran, host of Vertical Farming Podcast, as he welcomes to the show Christine Zimmermann-Loessl, Chairwoman at Association for Vertical Farming . Association for Vertical Farming (AVF for short) is an internationally active nonprofit organization of individuals, companies, research institutions and universities focusing on leading and advancing the sustainable growth and development of the vertical farming movement. Today, Harry and Christine talk about how Christine’s entrepreneurial...
Aug 11, 2023•53 min•Season 8Ep. 106
Join Harry Duran, host of Vertical Farming Podcast, as he welcomes to the show Michael Sichenzia. Michael is the Managing Director at Go Global Advisors and today, he shares his passion for bringing food to communities and what led him to pursue work in the vertical farming industry. Specifically, Michael speaks to the intricacies of developing container farms, everything from getting zoning approval from the local or city government to what he looks for when building a team. Michael is highly m...
Jul 28, 2023•53 min•Season 8Ep. 105
A fascinating voyage from the fashion capital of the world to the cutting edge of agricultural technology is what we have in store for you. We bring you the riveting tale of Sepehr Achard, the CEO of iGrow News . Raised in France and influenced by his experiences in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Sepehr found his calling in vertical farming—a far cry from the finance world he was initially a part of. Follow us as we traverse this intriguing shift in career paths, the risk and reward of heading a dedicated...
Jul 14, 2023•55 min•Season 8Ep. 104
Get ready for an enlightening conversation on vertical farming and food justice as we chat with Nona Yehia, CEO and co-founder of Vertical Harvest. Discover the growing importance of indoor ag tech and understand the significance of intersectional discussions within this evolving industry. Learn how fresh food access and Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) are playing a crucial role in fostering positive change, and how technology is championing this transformation. Join us as we discuss Ve...
Jun 30, 2023•58 min•Season 8Ep. 103
Can you imagine the metropolis of New York City as a thriving urban farm? Qiana Mickie, a passionate advocate for urban agriculture and food justice, joins us to share her experience of growing up in the vibrant city and how it has shaped her commitment to feeding New York's communities. We journey through the city's pulsating neighborhoods, reminiscing about the birth of hip hop, our shared experiences of Catholic schools, and the explorative thrills of the 80s. As we stroll down memory lane, w...
Jun 28, 2023•51 min•Season 8Ep. 102
Join Samuel Bertram, the CEO and Co-Founder of OnePointOne and Willo Farm, on an inspiring podcast journey as he shares his vision for revolutionizing the way we grow and consume food through vertical farming. With a passionate drive to solve the world's poor nutrition problem, Samuel’s innovative approach includes a patented automated vertical farming solution called Opollo Farm and a direct-to-consumer marketing and sales business known as Willo. Discover the challenges faced by his companies,...
Jun 23, 2023•53 min•Season 8Ep. 101
Join us on an exciting journey as we explore the groundbreaking world of indoor farming with Babylon Micro-Farms and their visionary CEO, Alexander Olesen. In this episode, Alexander shares his invaluable insights on sustainability, scaling, and customer satisfaction, while taking us through his remarkable entrepreneurial journey. Discover the incredible benefits of indoor farming, from its potential for local service operators and government involvement to its niche applications for self-suffic...
Jun 16, 2023•51 min•Season 8Ep. 100
Join us on an exciting journey into the world of vertical farming with Gabriel Zarafonitis, the President and Founder of FarmAnywhere . As a self-taught entrepreneur, Gabriel shares his passion for sustainable agriculture and the challenges he faced in building an ultra-high-tech farming solution. He emphasizes the importance of striking a balance between technology and farming expertise, while also highlighting the significance of quality control and exceptional customer support. Delve into the...
Jun 09, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Season 8Ep. 99
Join Alberto Aguilar, CEO of Plantaform , as he provides a captivating and insightful perspective on the challenges and opportunities of the rapidly growing vertical farming industry. Discover the secrets to creating a successful product through constant innovation and adaptation, and explore the potential of sustainable agriculture. Aguilar's expertise extends to exciting developments like the world's first fogponic vertical farm, showcasing the forefront of industry advancements. Gain valuable...
Jun 02, 2023•1 hr•Season 8Ep. 98
Episode Summary Join Alaric Overbey, Director of GreensideUp Farm , as he discusses the transformative potential of vertical farming in addressing food security issues in underserved communities. Through his experiences in traditional farming and his passion for education, Alaric shares valuable insights on healthy eating habits and the innovative micro-farm model developed by GreensideUp Farm. Discover how education, community involvement, and partnerships with local organizations and grocery s...
May 26, 2023•59 min•Season 8Ep. 97
Episode Summary Join us for an engaging conversation with Jonathan Murray, co-founder, and CEO of Adapt Agtech, where we delve into his remarkable journey in the booming vertical farming industry. With a diverse background spanning banking, clean tech, defense, and Medtech, Murray shares how he leveraged his experience to navigate regulations and find solutions to complex problems. We explore Adapt Agtech's growth and its unique focus on producing gourmet mushrooms in hyper-local environments, i...
May 10, 2023•58 min•Season 8Ep. 96
Episode Summary In this episode, Marcos Enriquez, Founder of ISIFarmer , discusses his passion for vertical farming and his company's innovative approach to urban farming. He focuses on the challenges and opportunities of their urban farmer co-working platform, SI Farmer, which aims to provide fresh, healthy, and locally grown produce to urban consumers. Marcos explains how ISIFarmer is leading the charge in the vertical farming movement by using a box theory to create a controlled environment f...
May 04, 2023•45 min•Season 8Ep. 95
Episode Summary This episode we are joined by Daphne Preuss, the founder and CEO of CarbonBook, on an inspiring journey to make the world a greener place. As an experienced entrepreneur and sustainability advocate, she shares valuable insights on reducing carbon emissions in the vertical farming space. Discover the secrets of sustainable agriculture, learn how to manage carbon footprints, and explore the opportunities available in this growing industry. From understanding soil health to rethinki...
Apr 27, 2023•50 min•Season 8Ep. 94
